Today's Stories
  • Sports
    • Shay, Klemmer pace Irish in run for NCAA championship (By BRIAN BURKE and KATHLEEN O'BRIEN)
      The Notre Dame men's and women's track and field teams entered the outdoor season with considerable talent and high expectations. They filled out those expectations with a conference-leading season and national qualifying performances.
    • Irish succeed in fall, face setbacks in spring season (By KEVIN BERCHOU Sports Writer)
      Spring is the best time of the year for most golfers. After a long winter's layoff, their games begin to take shape as the world around them comes back to life. Unfortunately for the members of Notre Dame golf team, the opposite was true: The temperatures soared as their games fell apart.
    • Swimmers rally in Big East finale (By NOREEN GILLESPIE Sports Writer)
      When the Notre Dame men's swimming and diving team class of 2000 began their careers as freshmen, the possibility of a two-time second place finish at the Big East Swimming and Diving championships was nothing more than a dream.
    • Irish surprise Louderback with strong performances (By KEVIN BERCHOU Sports Writer)
      Heading into the 1999-2000 campaign, Coach Jay Louder-back thought he was being realistic with his low expectations for the Notre Dame women's tennis team.
    • Belles rewrite history with record season (By NOREEN GILLESPIE Sports Writer)
      Breaking out of history is sometimes the biggest challenge of all.
    • Trouble on, off field leads to disappointing finish (By BRIAN KESSLER Assistant Sports Editor)
      After claiming National Championships in 1977 and 1988 under third-year head coaches, expectations were high for the '99 Notre Dame football team.
    • Season continues in NCAA Tournament (By RACHAEL PROTZMAN Sports Writer)
      The Notre Dame softball team, currently ranked No. 17 in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll, is advancing to the NCAA regionals after a successful season highlighted by the Big East championship title.
    • Irish bounce back from slow start (By STEVE KEPPEL Sports Writer)
      This year was quite a ride for the Notre Dame men's lacrosse team.
    • Icers advance to conference semis (By MATT OLIVA Sports Writer)
      After a slow start, the Notre Dame hockey team turned its season around in time to claim home ice for the first round of the CCHA playoffs, and then capitalized to earn their first trip to the conference semifinals in 18 years.
    • Belles place second in MIAA tournament (By KATIE McVOY Assistant Sports Editor)
      Led by seniors Katie Vales, Becky Kremer and Leslie Ortiz, the Saint Mary's tennis team finished a very successful season by placing second in the MIAA tournament and tying for a second place overall finish.
    • All-American Riley leads netters Irish to Sweet Sixteen (By TIM CASEY Assistant Sports Editor)
      Self-promotion is not a main character trait of Ruth Riley. The first-team All-American and two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year would rather discuss almost anything than her individual accomplishments.
    • Tarheels edge Irish again in Women's College Cup (By MIKE CONNOLLY Sports Writer)
      Under first-year head coach Randy Waldrum, the Notre Dame women's soccer team returned to the NCAA Women's College Cup and advanced to the finals for the first time since 1996 before falling to North Carolina, 2-0.
    • Comeback falls three points short in NCAA Championships (By MIKE CONNOLLY Sports Writer)
      The 2000 fencing team will be remembered for its nearly incredible comeback on the last two days of competition at the 2000 NCAA Fencing Championships only to fall three points short and finish second for the fifth consecutive year.
    • Bill defines Belles' athletics through consistent play (By MOLLY McVOY Saint Mary's Editor)
      Consistency has been the key to the successes that Saint Mary's athletics have had and senior volleyball player Agnes Bill is the definition of quiet consistency.
    • Keyplay edges NDToday in talent-laden tournament (By KATHLEEN O'BRIEN Associate Sports Editor)
      Trailing by one at 17-16, top-ranked Keyplay.com decided this was the year it would not go home disappointed. It then scored the final five points of the championship game to make No. 2 NDToday.com wait until next year this time.
    • Irish capture yet another Big East Championship (By NOREEN GILLESPIE Sports Writer)
      The top spot on the winner's podium at the Goodwill Games Aquatic Center in Uniondale, N.Y., is getting to be a familiar one for the Notre Dame women's swimming and diving team, especially after its fourth consecutive Big East Swimming and Diving Championships victory.
    • Belles slide in Roeder's final season with 4-22 record (By KATIE McVOY Assistant Sports Editor)
      Although the Saint Mary's basketball team did not say goodbye to any seniors this year, it bid farewell to head coach Dave Roeder, who resigned at the end of the season after four years of low scores and high loss totals.
    • Irish netters serve up success with conference sweep (By MATT OLIVA Sports Writer)
      Entering the 1999 season, the Irish had five returning starters and high expectations as they prepared to repeat their long-time Big East success and advance deep into the NCAA tournament.
    • Observer names Sachire, Engelhardt top athletes of 2000 u Three-time All-American Ryan Sachire dominates for Irish on court ( KERRY SMITH Sports Editor)
      Ryan Sachire used to want no part of Notre Dame.
    • Observer names Sachire, Engelhardt top athletes of 2000 u Jen Engelhardt aims for third All-American season at championships (By KATHLEEN O'BRIEN Associate Sports Editor)
      When the Notre Dame track and field team tallied its points at the end of every meet, it knew it could count on a top-two finish from high jumper Jen Engelhardt.
    • Irish suffer first losing season (By SARAH RYKOWSKI Sports Writer)
      The Notre Dame women's lacrosse team ended its 2000 season with a 5-10 record, marking its first losing season in the team's four year history.
    • Sluggers record best season in recent years (By NOAH AMSTADTER Sports Writer)
      The Notre Dame baseball team finished off one of its strongest regular seasons in recent memory Sunday afternoon, defeating Big East Conference champion Rutgers 10-6 at Frank Eck Stadium.
    • Doherty brings pride back to Notre Dame basketball (By BRIAN KESSLER Assistant Sports Editor)
      First-year head coach Matt Doherty arrived in South Bend last year with the hope of putting Notre Dame basketball back on the map.
    • Two of a kind: Men and women advance (By KATHLEEN O'BRIEN Associate Sports Editor)
      The Notre Dame cross country teams made Irish fans see double at the NCAA Championships, as both the men's and women's squads advanced to nationals.
    • Coach's death overshadows season (By KERRY SMITH Sports Editor)
      Marred by the unexpected death of Irish head coach Mike Berticelli in January, the men's soccer team faced a year of wins and losses on and off the field.
    • Barger carries Belles, earns honors (By SARAH RYKOWSKI Sports Writer)
      Led by senior tri-captains Katy Barger, Rachel Egger, and Erin McCabe, along with classmate Liz Coley, the Saint Mary's Belles soccer team finished fifth again in the MIAA in the fall of 1999, with a 3-4-1 record in conference play.
    • Seniors take Belles to tourney (By KATIE McVOY Assistant Sports Editor)
      The Saint Mary's volleyball team had a breakthrough season under the leadership of first year head coach Randa Shields.
    • Running pack leads to solid season (By MOLLY McVOY Saint Mary's Editor)
      Despite a tough conference finish, the Belles cross-country team had one of its more solid seasons in its short history.

  • Inside
    • The Last Time (By MICHELLE KRUPA Editor in Chief Emeritus)
      About nine months ago, a good friend started getting sappy. Real sappy.

  • Viewpoint
    • Owing the future to our ancestors (Laura Petelle Senior Staff Writer)
      They came in ships, at first, across the wide and treacherous oceans, making a leap of faith into the terrible unknown. From Europe and Africa at first, and then later from all corners of the world they came to this vast land. Some came in fear, in desperation, in poverty, in prison, in chains, or in debt Ñ but they came, to this land of immigrants, this land of opportunity, this land of hope, this land of dreams. Here they built the American Dream: To give a better life to oneÕs children. So these immigrants came and worked and strove and sweat, to build a better life for their children, and maybe Ñ just maybe Ñ to send those children to college, the American symbol of success.
    • Appreciating our goodbyes (Kimmi Martin Senior Columnist)
      Goodbye midnight runs to Steak and Shake.
    • Reflecting on a hard learned lesson (Letter to the Editor )
      I never thought I would learn a lesson about love from my younger brother, Joseph Patrick Kepferle. My little brother by two and a half years. Everyone knew him as Pat.
    • Parting with lingering thoughts (Letter to the Editor )
      Graduation is a time to look back and reminisce Ñ in my case almost six years!
    • Riding the winds of change (Colleen Gaughen Senior Staff Writer)
      Well, this is it.
    • Relax and enjoy life for awhile (Nakasha Ahmad Senior Columnist)
      ÒLadies of the Class of 2000. You are now all going out into what is commonly termed the Òreal world.Ó We know, that after four years of hard work and of scholarly endeavor, you will be ready to take your places in the life ahead of you. We are confident that the education you have received at Saint MaryÕs College has prepared you to make your way in the world successfully. We are now graduating the future leaders of America.
    • Legacies live on at Notre Dame (Letter to the Editor )
      In 1900, my great-grandfather graduated from Notre Dame. Now, 100 years later, I am about to graduate from Notre Dame joining in a family tradition.
    • Graduating with four SMC guardian angels (Letter to the Editor )
      As I prepare for graduation, I remember that I might not have been here; I might not have gotten to wear my cap and gown and I might not have been able to receive my diploma. Without my four guardian angels, I may not have been able to experience any of these things. You may be wondering about my guardian angels Ñ Who are they? What happened? Do I know them? In order to answer these questions, I must take you back to a day here at Saint MaryÕs that I will never forget.
    • God, country and Notre Dame T-shirts (Kate Rowland Senior Columnist)
      Of all the things that Notre Dame has changed about me, my wardrobe has probably benefited the most from my time here. On the other hand, perhaps benefited isnÕt the right word. Suffered is maybe more like it. In just four short years I have gone from owning a collection of T-shirts that represented a wide variety of retailers, like J.C. PenneyÕs and Goodwill, to owning a collection of tee shirts that represents Notre Dame.

  • News
    • The Year in Review (By ERIN PIROUTEK Associate News Editor)
      This was supposed to be the year for Notre Dame football. The 1999 team, like in 1988, 1977 and 1966 seemed destined for a national championship.
    • Catholic environment motivates seniors to serve (By KATE NAGENGAST News Writer)
      After four years of academic struggles to obtain a college degree, few students might imagine themselves traveling to all ends of the earth to serve others. Something in the Notre Dame and Saint Mary's community, however, changes that expectation for the approximately 10 percent of each graduating class who consistently commit to post-graduate service work.
    • Group encourages Malloy to withdraw attempted ad ban (By TIM LOGAN News Writer)
      All year long, the University's ban on advertisements from gay and lesbian alumni and student groups has been a major concern for the Faculty Senate.
    • Saint Mary's community mourns death of Kristi Morris (By MOLLY McVOY Saint Mary's Editor)
      A single yellow ribbon will be on the wrist of each senior as they receive their diploma from Saint Mary's in remembrance of Kristi Morris, their classmate who died over spring break of this year.
    • Annan, Viramontes to deliver Commencement speeches U.N. chief may criticize U.S. foreign policy (By ERIN LaRUFFA Assistant News Editor)
      Despite dealing with numerous crises, United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan will take time to deliver Notre Dame's Commencement address Sunday.
    • Annan, Viramontes to deliver Commencement speeches Latina author's previous speech impressed students (By CHRISTINE KRALY News Writer)
      Acclaimed author Helena Maria Viramontes will address Saint Mary's class of 2000 at Saturday's Commencement.
    • Campus Ministry will miss Lies (By ERIN LaRUFFA Assistant News Editor)
      The Campus Ministry office will not be the same next year without Father Jim Lies, the director of spirituality and retreats who will be going to the University of Minnesota for a doctorate in moral psychology.
    • ND, SMC award honorary degrees (By KATE NAGENGAST News Writer)
      Saint Mary's and Notre Dame will award honorary degrees to distinguished figures in the fields of education, the arts, science, business, civic affairs, government, literature and the Catholic Church at their commencement ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
    • McKenna wins Laetare Medal (Observer Staff Report )
      Notre Dame will recognize Andrew McKenna, chairman of the University's Board of Trustees since 1992, with the Laetare Medal, the highest honor the University bestows and the oldest given to American Catholics at Sunday's commencement.
    • ND, SMC graduate 2,311 in last class of millennium (By LAURA ROMPF Assistant News Editor)
      Four years, 40 finals and 47 football games; hundreds of Yo-cream cones, walks around the lakes and candles lit at the Grotto; thousands of laughs, prayers and tears.
    • Yoder, Wild earn honors as 2000 valedictorians Saint Mary's names business major, mother as best in 2000 class (By KATIE McVOY News Writer)
      Working for the grades to become Saint Mary's valedictorian can be a difficult task, even if you're not busy raising a child. But Jayme Yoder did just that.
    • Yoder, Wild earn honors as 2000 valedictorians ND Honors Program grad aimed to earn professors' respect (By ANNE MARIE MATTINGLY News Editor)
      Though she admits that she invested much of her time in study and that her prime focus at Notre Dame was academics, Class of 2000 valedictorian Elizabeth Wild never expected to merit the honor.
    • Unidentified man attacks student in D6 parking lot (By CHRISTINE KRALY News Writer)
      Dillon Hall resident Peter Garrison was assaulted and robbed in the D6 north parking lot on May 8, according to Notre Dame Security/Police (NDSP) reports.
    • SMC construction moves forward Welcome Center, new Dalloway's Coffeehouse may be complete in fall (By MOLLY McVOY Saint Mary's Editor)
      When the Saint Mary's seniors return to campus as alumnae, they may not recognize the campus they once called home.
    • Trustees vote to replace Beauchamp (By MIKE CONNOLLY News Writer)
    • Board gives Malloy 5 more years (By MIKE CONNOLLY News Writer)
      The Board of Trustees voted May 5 to renew Father Edward Malloy's contract for five more years as University president.

  • Scene
    • Then and now: The classes of '00 (AMANDA GRECO Scene Editor)
      Long lost are the days when students were referred to as "inmates," when one could not leave campus without permission granted by the president and when writing home was mandatory. Though some may suggest that both Saint Mary's and Notre Dame are caught in the archaic with their reluctance to allow co-ed dorms or forsake parietals, a visit to the reign of the class of 1900 provides a sobering perspective on just how strict things could have been for this year's graduating classes. Let us take a stroll down memory lane to see how the class of 2000 fares when compared to the class of 1900.